Think about a high school kid from Flowood, Mississippi, standing at the center of a recruiting whirlwind, with college football’s biggest names calling his phone. That’s Bralan Womack, the No. 1 safety in the class of 2026, and right now, he’s got his heart set on Ohio State. This five-star phenom from Hartfield Academy is more than just a highlight reel—he’s a kid with big dreams, a love for the game, and a deep connection to the Buckeyes’ storied program. Here’s the story of Bralan Womack and why Ohio State feels like home.

A Small-Town Kid with Big-Time Talent

Ordinary you say for 17? He stands tall at 6'1" and 200 pounds-an already mighty physique for a college star-while his 40-yard dash time of 4.4 seconds blistering-fast-makes sure his competitors cannot keep up with him. Defensive-wise, he is like a Swiss Army knife: he has had eight interceptions and 26 solo tackles as a safety. Offensively, he pottered around with 32 catches for 562 yards and 10 touchdowns as a wide receiver in his junior season. Of course, he was named the Gatorade Mississippi Football Player of the Year for 2024-25. According to On3, he is the number one-ranked safety and number 18 overall in his class, and trust me when I say that the hype is deserved.

But what makes Bralan special isn’t just his stats. It’s his brain for the game. “I pick up coaching one day and use it the next,” he told Eleven Warriors, his voice brimming with confidence. Ohio State’s safeties coach, Matt Guerrieri, sees it too, praising how Bralan’s football IQ and athleticism make him a coach’s dream. Whether he’s reading a quarterback’s eyes or breaking on a ball, Bralan plays like someone who’s been doing this for decades, not years.

Falling in Love with Ohio State

When Bralan first visited Columbus in April 2025, he wasn’t just another recruit on a campus tour. He was soaking it all in—the energy of the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, the roar of Ohio Stadium, and the tight-knit vibe of the Buckeye locker room. Ohio State offered him a scholarship back in June 2024, and since then, they’ve been all-in, building a relationship that’s got Bralan smiling ear to ear. He’s got an official visit lined up for June 20, 2025, and if his last trip was any indication, it’s going to be tough for other schools to compete.

What’s got him so hooked on Ohio State? It’s the NFL pipeline. Bralan’s got his eyes on the pros, and he knows the Buckeyes have a knack for turning defensive backs into first-round draft picks. “Guys like Marshon Lattimore, Denzel Ward, Jeff Okudah, Malik Hooker—they’re playing six-plus years in the NFL, way past the average,” he said, clearly impressed. He’s also got a soft spot for Caleb Downs, Ohio State’s current star safety, who’s showing him what’s possible. “They develop you to get to the league. That’s what they do every year,” Bralan told Eleven Warriors.

During his April visit, Bralan hit it off with senior linebacker Sonny Styles, a former five-star safety who’s living proof of Ohio State’s player development. “The tradition, the brotherhood, the way they develop players—it’s unreal,” Bralan gushed to On3. He’s already dreaming of teaming up with other top 2026 recruits like five-star safety Blaine Bradford and four-star Simeon Caldwell. “We’d be a crazy trio,” he said, his excitement practically jumping off the page.

The Other Suitors

Ohio State’s got the lead—On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine gives them a 77.1% shot at landing him—but Bralan’s not short on options. He’s narrowed his list to four: Ohio State, Auburn, Florida, and Texas A&M. He’s got official visits planned to all of them this summer, and schools like Alabama, Notre Dame, LSU, and Georgia are still lurking with offers. Auburn’s coach Hugh Freeze has caught his attention with a vision for building around high school talent, and Florida’s got him thinking about their NFL prep too. Texas A&M’s been pushing hard, with Bralan noting in February 2025 that they and Ohio State are “a little ahead” of the pack because they’ve been in the game longer.

Still, Ohio State’s got something special. Fans on X are buzzing, with one calling Bralan “a Buckeye” already and another hyping up the idea of a “Womack-Bradford-Caldwell” safety trio as “insane.” It’s hard to argue with that kind of enthusiasm.

Countdown to a Big Decision

Bralan’s got a plan: he’s announcing his commitment on August 23, 2025, live on 247Sports’ YouTube channel. Between now and then, he’s hitting the road for those official visits, and every moment will count. His April trip to Ohio State left him calling the Buckeyes his top school, and the coaches are hammering home their pitch: “Come be a part of something special and become another first-rounder.” With a national championship in their pocket and a legacy of sending defensive backs to the NFL, Ohio State’s making it tough for Bralan to look elsewhere.

A Kid with a Dream

At the end of the day, Bralan Womack is a kid from Mississippi with a big heart and bigger ambitions. He’s not just chasing a college offer—he’s chasing a future. Ohio State’s “Best in America” mantra resonates with him, and he’s hungry to leave his mark. If he picks the Buckeyes, he could be the answer to Ohio State’s quest for an elite Southern defensive back, breaking what some fans jokingly call a “curse” of missing out on top DBs from the South.

As Bralan gears up for his big decision, Buckeye Nation is holding its breath, hoping to welcome him to Columbus. For now, he’s a young star with the world at his feet, and Ohio State’s rolling out the red carpet to make sure he knows it. Wherever he lands, one thing’s clear: Bralan Womack is ready to shine.